iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Plus
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 Plus is 2.16 millimetres0.09 inches thicker and 34 grams1.20 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) cuts down on weight and thickness in a way your hand notices immediately, trading away some screen space for an ultra-slim build. The iPhone 16 Plus (paid link) feels chunkier by comparison, though it sells for less on the renewed market. If you want the absolute lightest, most modern form factor, the iPhone 17 Air is the clear choice.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams. iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams.
17 Air, 16 Plus shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 16 Plus 6.33 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 16 Plus 3.06 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 16 Plus 0.31 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 16 Plus 199 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 16 Plus 7.02 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 160.9 millimetres, 4.7 millimetres more6.33 inches, 0.19 inches more |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 77.8 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres more3.06 inches, 0.12 inches more |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.09 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 199 grams, 34 grams more7.02 ounces, 1.20 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 97.6 cubic centimetres, 31.8 cubic centimetres more5.96 cubic inches, 1.94 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 88 percent, 2 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.7 inches, 0.2 inches more |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1290 × 2796 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 899 dollars, 100 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Questions about these phones
How do the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Plus compare?
The iPhone 16 Plus is 4.7 mm taller, 3.1 mm wider, and 2.16 mm thicker than the iPhone 17 Air.
Which phone is lighter between the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g, while the iPhone 16 Plus weighs 199 g, making the iPhone 17 Air 34 g lighter.
Which screen size is larger, the iPhone 17 Air or the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch display, which is 0.2 inches larger than the 6.5-inch screen on the iPhone 17 Air.
Is the iPhone 17 Air easier to use with one hand than the iPhone 16 Plus?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is easier to use with one hand and better suited for small hands compared to the iPhone 16 Plus.
Do both the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Plus fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 16 Plus fit inside a typical men's jeans pocket, though the iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable overall due to its slimmer profile.
Do the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Plus fit in a typical women's jeans pocket?
Neither the iPhone 17 Air nor the iPhone 16 Plus fits comfortably into a median women's jeans pocket.